Martyn’s Law: Do you know about Section 12?

Enforcement and compliance risk 

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 aka Martyn’s Law or the Protect Duty introduces a statutory requirement for organisations to reduce the risk of harm from terrorism at publicly accessible premises and events.  

The change in legislation brings about the biggest change in over 20 years. 

While the legislation sets out procedures, measures, and governance expectations, delivery ultimately depends on one critical variable, the workforce.  

This is an excerpt focusing in on the enforcement powers under Martyn’s Law if failure to comply. It’s taken from our more comprehensive Workforce Readiness Guide which is available to download. 

The workforce exposure [Sections 12–18] 

Under Martyn’s Law, failure to comply can lead to significant fines, operational restrictions, and in serious cases, criminal liability, particularly where organisations cannot demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken. 

The Act introduces enforcement powers, including compliance notices, restrictions, and significant financial penalties. These powers are exercised by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as the regulator and are set to come into force in April 2027 (see table below) 

In practice, many compliance failures will originate at the workforce level: 

• Unlicensed security staff 
• Untrained personnel in safety-critical roles 
• Unauthorised access to restricted zones 

Workforce Accreditation provides a defensible position by demonstrating that: 

• Robust controls were in place prior to the event 
• Individuals were validated against defined criteria 
• Access was controlled and monitored 

This reduces both operational risk and regulatory exposure by making defensible evidence easier where approvals, credentials, access and training records are connected. 

Enforcement and penalties overview (SIA)

Accreditation as operational infrastructure 

Martyn’s Law defines what must be achieved, not how to achieve it.  

Workforce accreditation and Accredit Induct provide the mechanisms to operationalise key aspects of the Act through pre-event compliance control (application, verification, approval), on-site access control (who is allowed in and where) and ongoing assurance (valid credentials, training, role alignment). 

Practical capabilities 

Accredit Solutions (a Department of Homeland Security approved technology) enables:

• Workforce members to apply for accreditation prior to arrival 
• Automated validation of: 
  • Identity 
  • SIA licences and other certifications 
  • Training and inductions 
  • Issuance of access devices/credentials controlling site entry and movement 
  • Real-time visibility of who is on site and their authorised zones 

This creates a controlled environment where workforce compliance is enforced, not assumed and where workforce accreditation becomes a critical control layer underpinning security and operational delivery. 

Are you on track?  

Gain critical insight or look for any gaps by downloading our free:

1. Workforce Readiness Guide
2. Workforce Readiness Checklist  

Or get in touch for more  information on how best-in-class accreditation can help your organisation become compliant as well as strengthen it operationally. 

Resources:

SIA

Protect Duty

UK Home Office